by the Rev. Charlie Dupree
As the longest night of the year approaches, I am reminded of the words from the Fourth Gospel. It tells of a person sent by God . . . John, who was called to testify to the light.
That’s right, the days have gotten shorter and shorter as we’ve moved toward December 21st, the winter solstice. But, on the other side of that longest night is a move in the other direction. The nights will get progressively shorter as we move toward the spring. Something will begin to shift within the plants and the trees. I’m not a plant scientist, but my imagination tells me that something will begin to tingle in the branches and the root systems of life. Heaven and nature will feel this subtle shift, signaling that it’s time to gear up for life.
It’s not an accident that the Light of the World comes so near the longest night. This child pierces through the darkness of life to bring hope that a new day will come . . . a day of peace, when wars will cease and the most contrary of animals will snuggle up beside one another.
I hope you’re planning to participate in one of our services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I imagine these services as points of light that poke holes in the darkness, reminding our souls and our hearts that peace is possible, and that God is at work in the most unlikely of places.
A list of services is below . . . O come, all ye faithful.
See you in church,
Charlie+ (he/him)